Child sexual abuse and other forms of violence continue to impact the mental health and development of thousands of children across Nepal according to Bhagawati Shrestha of CWIN-Nepal. CWIN recognise the vital role of helpers such as health workers, teachers and community volunteers, in creating safe environments for healing. This led them to create and facilitate this training program based on our manual “Children exposed to sexual violence in war, conflict, humanitarian crises (…)” This initiative seeks to bridge a crucial gap by providing frontline actors with practical training that connects trauma knowledge with relevant, practical, and applicable tools.
MHHRI Children’s manual training implemented in Nepal
A significant step in this direction was the successful two-day training on the MHHRI Children’s Manual, conducted this May in the Koshi Province, Nepal by CWIN. The training was specifically designed to enhance the capacity of a diverse group, including Civil society organisations from Alternative Care Homes, staff from the Centre for Mental Health and Counseling-Nepal (CMC-Nepal), Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHV), and School Nurses. The core objective was to improve their ability to respond to cases of child sexual abuse and trauma from a human rights perspective, grounded in the MHHRI Children’s Manual.
The training provided a balanced approach, encompassing both theoretical understanding of trauma and mental health needs in children alongside practical tools for addressing these issues. It emphasized a rights-based, culturally sensitive, and context-relevant approach.
Positive impact and strong commitment
Bhagawati Shrestha shared that she is pleased with the training and its positive impact at both the individual and institutional levels. She noted that many participants expressed a clear intention to use the knowledge and tools in their daily work with children. One school nurse, responsible for more than 400 students, mentioned that although she is currently pursuing a master’s in clinical psychology, this was the first training she had attended that offered both theoretical perspectives and practical tools tailored to the Nepali context. She found this particularly useful and relevant to her work.
The significant number of participants requesting follow-up opportunities and continued online support highlights both the relevance and perceived value of the program. It also reflects the training’s potential to positively influence the lives of many children affected by trauma in the region. The MHHRI Children’s Manual training in Koshi Province represents a constructive step in Nepal’s ongoing efforts to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse. By building local capacity and sharing practical skills, the initiative supports a broader vision in which children’s rights are recognised and prioritised across communities. MHHRI appreciates the collaboration with CWIN, made possible through FORUT’s initiative, and we look forward to continuing our work together.